How to Be Grateful: Practical Ways to Practice Gratitude  

As Thanksgiving approaches it is important to think about what it means to give thanks. Our culture is full of reminders to be thankful, but our call to gratitude as Christians goes beyond simply counting our blessings. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).  

So, what does thankfulness truly mean? Why should we be grateful? As we reflect on this Thanksgiving season, here are some tips to help you develop practices that will allow gratitude to transform your life. 

Why is Gratitude So Important?  

The idea of daily gratitude has become a trope in many ways, cheapened to an Instagram hashtag, which can make it easy to undervalue its importance. However, so much of life is taken up with worry, anxiety and stress as we think about the future. Thankfulness is one way to counteract that; instead of focusing on what is out of our control, we can be grateful for the present. 

Reid Swetland, a counselor at Gordon College’s Center for Student Counseling and Wellness, knows well the positive effects of gratitude on the brain. He advises that practical gratitude looks like “focusing on areas of life that are within a person’s ability to control, change or effect change.” Gratitude allows us to focus and reflect on events with a perspective that helps ground and center our identity. 

“Reminding ourselves of what, how and who we value, and giving expression to that gratitude helps to reset internal worries,” Swetland says. As we think about what we are grateful for, the positive forces that shape our lives and the important things that bring us joy, we develop a stronger sense of identity.  

Gratitude and Faith 

As Christians, we know gratitude is commanded by God. But what about when life is hard? One of Gordon’s Chapel staff members, Kori North, acknowledges that in a life of faith there are many ups and downs. “Life is rarely all wonderful or all difficult, all frustrating or all miracles,” says North. “Gratitude can help us reframe or refocus when life is overwhelming.” As we grapple with both the good and the bad in our everyday lives, learning how to be thankful for what God has given us, instead of what we don’t have, helps ease our anxieties. 

Similarly, Gordon’s director of worship, Bil Mooney-McCoy, sees gratitude as a place to shift our attention when we are struggling. This can help us cultivate a renewed mindset that is more appreciative, which turns us towards God and his goodness and away from pain and darkness. “For me it’s recognizing the positive things in my life and making them as significant, if not more significant, than the challenges and difficulties,” says Mooney-McCoy. “By taking the time to acknowledge blessings, I reframe my life’s perspective.” 

How to Cultivate Gratitude  

While “being thankful” may seem abstract, there are practical examples of gratitude we can live out in concrete terms. It requires being present in the day-to-day of life; that can look like keeping a physical gratitude list, saying prayers of thanks or making thanksgiving a communal practice. Saying what you are thankful for to your friends and family around the dinner table can be a simple way to share joy.  

In addition to adding gratitude into our lives, it’s important to remove areas of discouragement and bitterness to make space for thankfulness. “Practicing gratitude might require stepping back from social media, the news and other sources of distraction and intentionally seeking out those things that feel restorative, life-giving and hopeful,” Swetland says.  

Mooney-McCoy offers two practical exercises for putting an emphasis on gratitude in our spiritual lives. The first involves sharing thoughts and ideas with another person daily, which helps with accountability. “Every weekday morning a friend and I exchange emails in which we list several of the day’s gratitudes. The list is refreshed every day,” he says.  

The second exercise is helpful for diffusing the negative mindset that may come with overwhelming moments in life. “When I am in the midst of high stress and high temptation, I will stop and force myself to name 10 gratitudes on the spot. Then I carry on with those in mind,” says Mooney-McCoy.  

Practice Being Grateful This Thanksgiving 

The power of gratitude should not be overlooked. When it comes to mental health, giving thanks can make you happier as you place your identity in the correct things. Spiritually, it draws us closer to God and helps us place our hope in him. And for our communities, gratitude helps us overcome our differences and appreciate each other more. This Thanksgiving season be sure to practice some of these gratitude exercises, on your own and with your loved ones, to bring more joy and appreciation into your life. 

Emily Jones ’25, English language and literature, and Reagan Forbes ’24, communication arts